Another January...

...has come and gone! WOW! This year we had A LOT to remember about the January we had last year. Our HUGE, but AMAZING news...January 10th we found out we were expecting twins. Bringing our family of 7 to 9 in just a few short minutes. It was so overwhelming but such wonderful news.

Since we were outgrowing our Excursion, which seated 8, we had to upgrade (not sure if that's the proper term for that one) to a 15 passenger van! Still not too thrilled about it, but it does fit our entire family! CRAZY!!

And this year on January 14th marked 8 years since Tad and I went on our first date! January, every year, will be a memorable month.

So many changes, but such wonderful blessings :)

Looking into the coming months...
I still have to take a double take every morning when I get the twins out of their cribs. I guess just to reasure myself that there really is 2 of them. Everyday is a challenging day, balancing being mommy to so many little ones, a wife, sorta keeping a house all intact, girl scouts, and me time (me time really is non existant)! I wouldn't change it though! Every day my kids teach me something new! My husband teaches me a thing or two, too :)

6 Months

How is it possible that the twins are already 6 months old? Time just goes by WAY TO FAST! Slow them down so I can enjoy them (or maybe I need to slow down, hmmm...)!!!

William is very, very, energetic...he is so hard to keep still....

...and Natalee, she LOVES her toes! Trying to get a picture of her without her toes in her hands was impossible!!

As I look back on the past 6 months since they have blessed our lives, it makes my heart feel full. They have been such a blessing to us and they are so loved! I wouuld not want to give up those sleepless nights for anything and the days when I feel like I have gotten nothing accomplished except for babies fed, lots of diapers changed, endless bottle making and lots of spit up cleaned up (and I smell by the end of the day)...those are the days that I know I am doing my job well.

Nothing says it better than the lyrics of this song...I absolutley love this and listen to it daily (for real :)!!

This fits my life, exactly where my life is right now!!

Where has these 3 months gone to??

Yesterday and today the marks the 3 months since thier arrivals and BOY oh BOY, this has been the quickest 3 months of my life! They are growing, growing, growing and such precious babies. Yep, even William, who is a total Mama's Boy and does not sleep well at night :( We are working on it. One day he might get there! Or not :) Natalee on the other hand...well, she has this sleeping through the night thing DOWN!! Thank Goodness. Not sure how I would function if I had 2 waking in the night at this point.

These babies are so worth every minute that they take up my day...A LOT OF MY DAYS!! They have big brothers and big sisters that love them so much! Our family is complete and I could never ask for any more than what I have - An amazing husband who provides only the best for his family, treats me like I am his  precious jewel, and 7 - Yes...7 amazing children. They are growning so fast!! It hit me today that Tate is 10 and his time left at home is more than half gone already. It is going by oh so fast!!

Long Over Due...

Major case of the PUFFY feet 5 days
before our precious arrivals :)

WOW...it has been an entire month since I have updated this blog and SO much has been happening and summer is already coming to an end. Hard to believe school is right around the corner. Tate has been gone the entire summer and will return home mid August. I don't like that he has been gone so long. I cannot wait for him to come home!

I would have to say that the "BIGGEST" news of our summer thus far has been the birth of the twins, William and Natalee. What a HUGE relief and a wonderful blessing :) They have brought so much joy to our family...even if mama is lacking in a little bit of sleep.
 

I finally went into labor all by myself on Wednesday, June 29th. I was never so happy to not be pregnant anymore. WOW...I have always loved being pregnant, but this go around was so much harder those last few months and weeks. I used to always say "I cannot imagine having more than one baby". That has now changed. I now cannot imagine having more than 2 and 4 other kiddos at home (Tate not included since he is not, and has not been here since they have been born). It is definitely a balancing act. Trying to get out the door is a chore too.

The last two weeks of my pregnancy both babies were head down but somewhere along the line Miss Natalee decided to go breech in there. Not sure how in the world that happened. Who knew there would be enough room in there to do anything but BAKE. But, so managed it. Luckily the doctor did a quick ultrasound before breaking my water to make sure both babies were head down. So, the next step was to decide how we were going to deliver these babies. With that being said...I immediately opted for an epidural because no matter what it was going to be more painful than any other pregnancy...Trying to get her turned in the womb was no easy process and it did not work so she was delivered breech. My doctor was awesome!! See, I had an epidural with Tate, 10+ years ago, and since then every other one of my children have bee completely natural...even my almost 10 pounder. Then to have an epidural with these two made things such a breeze...Why did I not have one with Shaelee, Emilee, TJ, or Kaylee...NOT SURE!!!

William Joseph arrived at 11:52 pm on Wednesday, June 29th and wieghed 6.9 pounds and 18.5 inches long. Natalee Marie finally came along, after about 12 minutes of trying to get her turned (which did not work)13 minutes later making her arriving at 12:05 am Thursday, June 30th. How are we going to explain those birthday's?? So, Natalee weighed 6.3 pounds and 18 inches long. They both were perfect in every way :) Our hospital stayh was short and we could not wait to get home.



Heading Home!!



Once we got home we were welcomed by my sister Tammy, my niece McKenli, my nephew Dallin, Shaelee, Emilee, TJ and Kaylee. What a home coming it was!! Having my sister her for a few days was so wonderful and we all, myself and kids, cried the day she left! We were quite bummed out. And I was a bit overwhelmed with the thought of flying solo with all these little kiddos. It has been an expierence like non other. Just to get an idea how crazy it has been...this is only the 2nd time in a month that I have made it on to the computer.



Welcome Home!!

So...With all that being said...we are just truely blessed to have to VERY healthy babies!! Our family will feel quite complete when Tate comes home. And I just have to say...7 kids still seems UNREAL!!!



 



One Month Old
July 29, 2011

25 Days Old
July 25, 2011

34 + Weeks and Counting...

Today we are 34 weeks and 2 days!! Yep, we made it to the mark in which my doctor said I must make it to...34 Weeks :) Now that I have reached that mark, labor will not be stopped when ever these babies decide to come. That is a HUGE relief...especially concidering that my belly is measuring 44 weeks. I knew my belly was getting rather large but not quite that large. But concidering 98% of my materninty clothes are no longer fitting me... the next few days to weeks I am going to be lounging in my husbands 2XL t-shirts... hopefully those will fit. His solution is a TOGA! He is so sweet :)

After the news that I recieved from the doctor on Friday, being 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced already, I became quite certain that I am not quite as ready for these babies, or family, as I thought I was. So, with the boys gone to Northern Nevada to spend time with family and take part in all the yearly branding, the girls and I decided we were going to clean, clean, clean. That is how we spent our Saturday, while my husband worked a 15 hour shift, the girls and I worked our tails off, and I thanked them with a trip to Sonic...which is a big deal since it literally takes 20 + minutes to get to it.  Needless to say, once I was winding down last night around 9:30 or so, I was feeling the like I was 44 weeks preganant!! SO SORE!!! This morning...I felt like a freight train and done me in and then some...OUCH!!

Today we ventured out into Provo Canyon since the weather was so beautiful. We took a few walks in a few different parks, took some roads we did not know existed, and enjoyed lunch and the beautiful scenery...

34 Weeks and 2 Days....Looking 44 Weeks!!

Just The Girls!

It was a great day, and the only way it could have been any better would have been to have our boys with us. But we know that they are having a great time :)

So, as we continue to prepare for these babies...even though I am not sure how much more we can prepare for...I would love for them to make it to 36 weeks in the womb, but not sure that is going to happen. That would most likely require me keeping my feet up and not doing a whole lot in the next 12 days...Not sure that is possible. I do have another ultrasound scheduled for this coming Friday, but my doctor does not seem to think I will make it to that one...I would not mind seeing them on the screen one more time :)

Ophir, UT - AND...30 + weeks and counting (and then some)...

So it has been a while for pics...but it seems that even though I am not currently taking any classes, I am still staying very busy. Trying to get some scrap booking in before the babies come, along with trying to get everything washed for babies...plus stay on top of my daily "Martha" chores. The days may seem longer outside but my energy level cannot keep up.

Last Sunday after church we took a drive to Ophir, UT. My husband had already been up in there and explored around a little bit, and figured it would be a nice Sunday drive. It was really nice and fun. Neat Old, Little Mining town. Due to all the flooding, we were only able to go up so far before the road was closed. We had a fun time exploring and checking out all the cool buildings.

This was the little furry creature we had seen when we were loading up to leave. This little badger was, at the most, 15 feet from the van. The kids were going CRAZY!!!

This is 30 weeks and 2 days. At this stage, my husband is very paranoid about me doing ANYTHING and is insisting that I use a walking stick when we are out on adventures.

The next day was my doctor's appointment...30 weeks and 3 days. It was an ultrasound appointment which are always my favorites. Something about seeing two babies and and two very healthy heart beats, really makes my day!! At this appointment Twin "A" weighed approximately 3-1/2 pounds and Twin "B" weighed just a little over 3 pounds. They are both growing VERY well and both have great heart beats.

30 Weeks and 3 Days

30 Weeks and 3 Days...and GROWING!!!

I am to the point where nearly all of my maternity clothes are getting VERY snug. I have to wear layers to keep from showing any skin ;) Fun Times!! So, I am VERY round and keep getting larger as the days go on. Today I am 31 weeks and 1 day. I am on the count down to the arrival of our babies. I am now on to my weekly doctor appointments. I cannot believe how quickly time is going by!!

I still have A LOT to do to be ready for them, but I am working on it day by day. Preparing for twins, plus trying to get as much mama time in with the other 5 kiddos, and taking care of the home....It is no easy task. Not to mention that my wonderful husband has been traveling A LOT for business...makes me kinda worried as time draws closer.

As the end of the school year draws near, Tate is planning on making a trip to Northern Nevada to spend time with our family there before departing to Pahrump, NV for about 6 weeks of his summer. Oh yes...he came to me tonight and told me that he has a brochure and a map due this coming Monday about a county in Utah that he has to have done. I tell ya... He has no research done on it, knows nothing and has no idea where to begin...so, tomorrow after church guess what we (Tate and I) will be doing! Not my idea of how I would like to spend my Sunday....BOYS!!!!

Shaelee tells us nearly every day that she cannot believe that she is almost in the 1st grade. Actually, I cannot believe that she is going to be in 1st grade. Last week she was working on her home work. She was supposed to write a sentence about that she is excited about this summer. I was coming up with ideas like - being excited for a new brother and sister, looking forward to being moms helper with the babies...She was quick to reply "no, I think I am excited to pick flowers". WHAT!!! She will be happy to know that she is going to be helping :)

Emilee and TJ are now sharing a bedroom, in hopes that they will some day learn to get a long. Emilee loves her bed but does not like the idea of TJ wanting to sleep with her everynight. I am looking for some sort of reward idea to bribe him to get him to sleep in his own bed. Something has to work....right?

Kaylee will be moving in with Shaelee within the next month or so. I really am not ready to move her up stairs...I like having her close by. She is growing up so fast. Kaylee will be in going into nursery next month...just in time for the arrival her baby brother and sister. As I have been busy washing clothes, bedding, carseats, and so much more, Kaylee has begun to realize that all of the "stuff" is for the babies. So...when I am putting stuff away, she runs the carseats and says "bebe". It is so Cute!!!

So, as I said, I am on the count down....but really would like to slow down time. I just need time to get so much more done before they come.

Time to stock up... 21 weeks and counting...

So, you might remember this post back in September of 2009 "Diaper Stock Up". Well, when I started out buying all those diapers, I knew a few gals who where pregnant so I decided diapers were always GREAT baby shower gifts and always great to have on hand for gifts. Low and behold not too long after starting to buy them I found out I was pregnant with Miss Kaylee Jane. So, I decided to keep going with diapers and doing all the good sales that I could possibly find. That post showed just that...I had quite a bit stocked up in September which was 3 months before my due date. By the time Kaylee arrived, I such a supply that I did not need to buy diapers until she was nearly 7 months old. What a great feeling that was!!

Needless to say, now expecting twins, I have started again with the diapers. This time, just buying a small pack here and there, but this latest Costco Coupon Book the offer for $5.00 of Kirkland Diapers and the $4.00 off Kirkland wipes, it is really time to start buying diapers and stocking up!! So, I have started...I have a long ways to go, but I will get there!

These days I don't seem to watch the sales as closely as I did over a year ago, nor do we have any CVS around here to get great deals on diapers at...but I really need to get back on top of it! Especially when I think about when the twins get here I will still have one in diapers and no where near ready to potty train for atleast 6 to 8 months after thier arrivals... Three in diapers...HOLLY COW!!


So, Yesterday I reached my 21 week mark. I swear I am as big if not bigger than I was at 36 weeks with Kaylee. It is CRAZY how round my belly is! It just keeps growing, and growing, and growing... and will continue...



36 Weeks Pregnant with Kaylee Jane
November 2009

We finally got our 40' semi trailer here from Northern Nevada and one of the first boxes my wonderful husband got out for me was a box (or 2) of maternity clothes. After washing them all and being so excited to finally have them, I have quickly discovered that A LOT of them are not going to fit me too much longer!! I still have a ways to go, too. Scary thought that my maternity clothes won't fit too much longer. My sweet husband says, "it's ok, you can just wear a sheet, or we can make you a toga". Now isn't that GREAT!!

Last night was a picture night...





So as I continue to grow...I must say, this is like no pregancy I have ever expierenced before. This is WAY different from any of my others! With being so tired...ALL OF THE TIME, I decided I needed a little break from school. So, I am taking off through April 11th and then, back for 7 weeks and then off for 3 to 4 months. However long I decide to make it. Seven children and school full time and a home to run, might just do me in.



During this time off I plan to do some scrapbooking. Out of the 5 children that I have right now, only 3 of them have scrapbooks started! So, that is my one HUGE Goal, along with diaper shopping, and buying baby boy clothes.

 Yes, you would think that after the last boy I would have kept my boy clothes, and I did...until I found out that Kaylee was a girl, then we said we were done. We were sure that we were stopping with a baby girl. I quickly changed my mind and knew that we were not done. I had already given all of my baby boy clothes through like 12 months away to friends of mine who where expecting boys. So, now that I am having another boy...it have been shopping for good deals looking for baby boy clothes. I think I have plenty now from NB to 0-3 months, now on to the next sizes. Did I mention that we have an abundance of girls clothes...we do! We have enough girl clothes for quadruplets...(not that I would ever wish for a miracle such as that).

 Oh yes...and we have changed baby boy's name. We started out with William Joseph (will for short). His name sake would be after my grandpa, William Jay, and Tad's grandpa, Joseph Edward. But with some more concideration, we have decided on Joseph Ross. My grandpa's name at birth was Norman Ross. When he was adopted he, his adoptive parents gave him the name of William Jay. So, when he enlisted in the army he stuck with William Jay and has ever since. However, I really want to bring the name Ross back into our family (kinda wierd, I know) but out baby boy will go by Joseph Ross and nickname will be either Joey or Ross.



As for our baby girl...her name still remains the same...Natalee Marie. Sticking with the "lee" endings for our girls. Not sure what my deal is with that, but it is what it is. Our family is still in awe with the fact that there are 2 babies growing in this HUGE belly. What a blessing and a miracle :)



...the VERDICT is in...and 18 Weeks and Counting...

The impatient person that I am, talked my husband into finding out what these babies are a few weeks earlier than expected. I was so excited when I contacted to ultrasound place and found out that I could find out as early as 15 weeks. I immediately made the appointment for 17 weeks and 1 day, (I was 16 weeks at the time). Remember... my doctor told me we would not be doing the next ultra sound in the office until 21 weeks and that is when we would find out the genders. Well, I am a few weeks up on him :)

So my appointment was February 12th at Fetal Fotos in Murray. Great people and extremely friendly. I cannot wait to go back and get some 3D ultrasounds done once these babies start to get chubby :) Oh yes...so we found out we are expecting one of each!! PERFECT!!! I have to say I was honestly relieved that there was only 1 boy. We were all very excited. Tate's response was "we are still out numbered". I told him to get used to it. Daddy's 1st instinct was right on!!

We were quick to find out that "Baby A" was our Baby Boy. At that same time we also found out that his sister was not going to let him get his moment in the spotlight alone. Nope...all the pics of him had her in it. Poor boy!


Baby Boy with a Half Profile Shot and His Sisters Leg Above his Head.

 

Once again...Baby Boy and his parts and his sisters head in the pic.



Baby Girl and Her Profile....Notice that she is Solo.



Baby Girl and her parts...Solo again :)



So the names are William Joseph. William is after my grandfather and Joseph is afte Tad's grandfather. We plan on calling him Will. And our baby girl is Natalee Marie. We are sticking with the "lee" ending for the girls.

NOW...

 Comes my moment in the spotlight.

Tad came home from work yesterday and insisted it was a picture day. Only because I looked bigger than ever in the dress that I was wearing. So these pictures are exactly 18 weeks. These could be the half way point :) And I REALLY am looking BIG, BIG, BIG!!

15 Weeks and Counting...

Well, no better time than now to start the pictures of the vastly growing belly. Better get as many as we can while it will still fit in the camera window. It is deffineatly getting bigger and bigger each day (or at least I think it is.) Let me just mention this...I just ate a steak dinner, with some awesome garlic roasted potatoes before taking these pictures. Not sure that that accounts for much, but no doubt about it....these babies are well fed :) 

Today we are 15 weeks and 1 day. My official due date is July 22, but my doctor has assured me that these babies will be delivered no later than 38 weeks if I have not had them before then. That was a big relief. Do women who carry twins or more really deliver on or near thier due dates? I am just seriously worried that I will not fit into much anything...not just the camera window, but the van door has got me worried. My husband has informed me he will be watching for the day that comes that I try to squeeze my way into it...camera in hand. That day, I am sure will be sooner than later :)

All the kids are just as excited as they were the day that they found out, not to mention Tad and I are too. We have all taken polls as to what we think the genders are...

Shaelee and I think that there are two little girls baking away.

Tate, Emilee and TJ think there are two boy being wild.
(Please help me if there are 2 TJ's in there.)
Tad thinks there are one of each.

Thursday I starting to feel the little fluttering movements....love it!! I really enjoyed the day and spent it not doing a whole lot. Speaking of which...I am slowing down, I think more and more everyday. There is so much I want to do, but I have to think about not just one, but two babies, and my body.

How CRAZY is this....It already hit me that when these babies finally enter this world, I will have 5 children under the age of 5. Shaelee does not turn 6 until August. Very scary thought....but even more scarier is the thought that I will have 7 children before I am 28 years old. What in the heck??

We will just ease everyone's minds now, especially my family...if we are blessed with one of each, most likely we are done, BUT if we have 2 boys or 2 girls...chances are we are not quitting there. We'll just see how well I handle 7. And lets not forget we have plenty of room....we traded in our Excursion that seated 8 for a 15 passanger van...NO JOKE!! I sometimes do not believe it, but I know when these babies arrive they will be well taken care of and we will be able to travel as a family in one vehicle...not two. Big relief.

Well....as I continue to GROW to be HUGE....I am not sure there will be many more pictures I will not want to share. That may be your clue that my belly and I no longer fit into the camera window :)

Amazing News...

So, even though it has not quite sank in yet...we are expecting TWINS!! So exciting and shocking, but such a blessing. Yesterday I went to the doctor expecting the worst and got better news than I had ever imagined. I never was expecting him (the doctor) say "you're carrying twins". They both had very health heart beats yesterday and everyone in our home is just so excited about the news.

Now we are anxiously waiting to find out what we are gaving....2 boys, 2 girls or 1 of each...

No matter what, we know that we are blessed and they will be welcomed with lots and lots of love!!